Moonlight romance goes beyond the rest to win Indian derby

MUMBAI: It proved to be Lady's day out at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse on D-day. The line, 'Beyond the Ocean lies a good place for Moonlight romance', came good and the ladies brigade spearheaded by the many fashion cats sporting the designer hats joined in to pop the bubbly and kick-start the big bash after best 'Lady' Moonlight Romance from the stables of Cooji Katrak galloped through to wear the Derby sash on Super Sunday.
Second in demand at the betting ring, quoted at (4/1), the Indian Oaks winner looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring before making her three owners — Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan, Prem Tharani and Waryam Singh — jump in joy by chalking out her second straight Derby triumph. Moonlight Romance beat owner-mate and fancied Sun Kingdom in the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby and here, she snuffed out the challenge of another owner-mate, Ocean And Beyond, who was the overwhelming favourite in the blue riband event.
After the eight best colts and four classy fillies, claiming a statutory gender allowance of 1.5 kilos, came under the starter's flag for the most glamorous and richest event in Indian racing calendar, the McDowell Signature Indian Derby, Batista charged out like a scalded cat and set a scorching pace for the first half before violently shifting out.
At this juncture, Naill McCullagh-astride Ocean Admiral, donning the role of a pacesetter to his more illustrious stablemate Ocean And Beyond, assumed command and set a decent pace all through the back stretch. The Scottish pro, David Allan, guiding the fortunes of Moonlight Romance, settled the triple classic winner nice and easy in the mid-division while the darling of Mumbai railbirds, Richard Hughes, chose to play the waiting game on Ocean And Beyond.
At the top of the straight, Ocean Admiral shot his bolt and Dear Henry streaked ahead before David packed punch on the galloping goldmine when the race came on the boil and put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Ocean And Beyond finished second ahead of Xisca, who was seen finishing fastest at the end while Xisca's stablemate Macchupicchu took the fourth spot. The 2:28.67 exacting exercise in the park fetched Moonlight Romance Rs 1,30,83,00, while the dream 1-2 finish brought home Rs 1.72 crore for the Wadhawan Group.
A delighted Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan disclosed that it was a dream come true and that his group, having won three of the four classics this season, was now looking to sign off in style by winning the Champion of Champion event, the Indian Turf Invitation Cup, next month.
David, who was a trifle unlucky in losing out the Golconda Derby at Malakpet (Hyderabad) by the shortest of margins last Sunday, agreed that Lady Luck did the trick for him. "The moment I was chosen to partner Moonlight after Ryan Moore was forced to opt out, I knew I was getting lucky," said David after slaying the Goliath. Ocean And Beyond, it must be mentioned, was not disgraced in defeat and lives to fight another day while Xisca is back in the big classic fold after her heartwarming effort on the day.
"I would have loved to gain the 1-2 result in favour of the 3-4 I recorded, but I'm most satisfied with the performance of Xisca. She finished seven lengths behind Moonlight in the Bangalore Derby and she has commendably bridged the gap and is now in the striking zone. It will be another close encounter, hopefully of a different kind, in the Invitation Cup," said champion trainer Pesi Shroff.
First Jackpot: Rs 4,10, 222. Runner-Up: Rs 17,581
Second Jackpot: Rs 12,293. Runner-Up: Rs 3,165
First Treble:
Rs 13,572
Second Treble: Rs 957
Third Treble:
Rs 216